Easy and Nutritious "Superhero" Green Pasta Recipe (2024)

By Sarah Remmer, RD | May 26, 2017 (updated Feb 25, 2022)
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Your kids not digging green veggies? Make it fun and and involve them in making this easy and delicious superhero green pasta together!

Easy and Nutritious "Superhero" Green Pasta Recipe (1)

My kids are really good eaters for the most part. I’d love to attribute this to the fact that I’m a dietitian who specializes in kid’s nutrition, but quite honestly, I think a lot of it is just good luck! That being said, they still go through the same typical “picky eating” phases that most kids do.

In fact, my oldest son—who has been a stellar eater up until now—has been turning his nose up to veggies lately (which I know,is completely normal!)

Involving him in meal planning, and prep is key–kids are always more likely to eat something if they’ve had a hand in making it. And re-introducing them over and over again, in creative, fun ways (without putting pressure on to eat them) will boost the chances of him accepting and loving those foods in his own time.

Easy and Nutritious "Superhero" Green Pasta Recipe (2)

Although green veggies aren’t a typical “favourite” for most young kids, white starchy carbohydrate foods like pasta are a sure win–I know this is true formykids anyway! Thankfully there are many nutritious varieties of pasta available now.

As a registered dietitian, I know the benefits of preparing and eating meals togetherare endless. But as a busy mom of three, I also know that simple, easy-to-make recipes are key.

Easy and Nutritious "Superhero" Green Pasta Recipe (3)

Helping my mom out in the kitchen was a big part of my childhood, and now that I havea family of my own, I love recreating those memories withmy own kids, by turning those classic comfort food meals into nutritiousdishes for my whole familyto enjoy.

I love finding creative ways to make nutritious meals fun to prepare(and eat!). Becausemy kidsare big into “super heroes” lately, we named this recipe “Superhero Green Pasta”.

Easy and Nutritious "Superhero" Green Pasta Recipe (4)

Thenutrient-packedgoodness of the peas, avocados, spinach, and zucchini help to give the kids “super brain and musclepower” (akalots of fibre, essential fatty acids, protein, vitamins and minerals), and when paired with garlic, and basil pesto, deliver a creamy, delicious flavour and texture.

The best part? It takes less than 30 minutes to make!

Easy and Nutritious "Superhero" Green Pasta Recipe (5)

Easy, Nutritious "Superhero" Green Pasta Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

The nutrient-packed goodness of the peas, avocados, spinach, and zucchini help to give the kids "super brain and muscle power" (aka lots of fibre, essential fatty acids, protein, vitamins and minerals), and when paired with garlic, and basil pesto, deliver a creamy, delicious flavour and texture.

Ingredients

  • 1 package Spaghettini or pasta of preference
  • 2 large zucchini (1 spiralized and one chopped)
  • 3 big handfuls of fresh spinach
  • 1 1/2 cups green peas
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 2 ripe avocados, flesh of
  • 1/4 cup basil pesto sauce
  • parmesan, fresh grated for topping
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook Spaghettini according to package directions. Drain and leave a little bit of pasta water in to keep the noodles from sticking together. I also mix a little bit of olive oil in for this reason.
  2. Rinse and dry both zucchinis and have your kids help to spiralize one of them using a spiralizer. Set aside in a medium-size bowl.
  3. Coarsely chop the second zucchini and set aside in a small bowl.
  4. Heat a large pan over medium-heat. Add the olive oil, followed by the chopped zucchini, garlic and spinach (you may have to add the spinach in batches). Saute the veggies until they are tender-crisp, bright green and fragrant. Transfer to a medium-sized bowl and set aside. Add a little bit more olive oil to the pan and addthe zucchini spirals toit. Sautee for about one minute. Transfer the spirals back to the bowl and set aside.
  5. Warm the chicken broth over medium heat in a pot on the stove (or in the microwave for about a minute)
  6. Using a good quality blender or food processor, add the cooked, chopped zucchini/spinach/garlic mixture, as well as the avocado and pesto sauce. Add warmed chicken broth until it covers about half of the ingredients in the blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, adding small amounts of chicken broth as needed.
  7. Taste-test and add salt and pepper as needed (removing some first if you're feeding babies or young toddlers).
  8. Toss together thecooked pasta and spiralized zucchini and lay on alarge serving platter. Pour sauce over top, gently toss and then add green peasbefore tossing again. Serve and grate some fresh parmesan on top.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @sarahremmer on Instagram and hashtag it #sarahremmer. And if you love this recipe it would mean so much if you could leave a review and rating.

Easy and Nutritious "Superhero" Green Pasta Recipe (6)
Easy and Nutritious "Superhero" Green Pasta Recipe (7)

For more family-friendly, nutritious recipes, check out myFacebook page, where I share my newest posts and recipes daily!

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Easy and Nutritious "Superhero" Green Pasta Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How can I make my pasta more nutritious? ›

8 Tricks to Make Pasta Really Good for You
  1. Use Quality Cheese. ...
  2. Choose Whole Wheat. ...
  3. Stretch It Out with Veggies. ...
  4. Add Lean Protein. ...
  5. Swap Heavy Cream. ...
  6. Fresh Herbs. ...
  7. Fill Your Plate with Greens. ...
  8. Have Your Tortellini, And Your Soup, Too.

What's the healthiest way to cook pasta? ›

What's the healthiest way to cook pasta? It is recommended to cook pasta al dente (slightly firm and chewy). As well as stopping the pasta from becoming overcooked and mushy, al dente pasta is healthier because it has a lower GI.

What is green pasta sauce made of? ›

Green pasta sauce, sometimes called green noodle sauce, is often referred to as pesto sauce, which is traditionally made with basil, cheese, garlic, pine nuts, and oil.

What can I add to spaghetti to make it healthier? ›

Here's a variety of tasty vegetables you can load into your pasta for their flavor, fiber, and nutrients.
  1. Broccoli. Broccoli is a nutritious and versatile vegetable that makes a great addition to any pasta dish. ...
  2. Mushrooms. ...
  3. Peas. ...
  4. Spinach. ...
  5. Tomatoes. ...
  6. Asparagus.
Apr 11, 2022

Is homemade pasta more nutritious? ›

While nutritional values vary according to the ingredients used, fresh pasta generally has more cholesterol and fat content than dried pasta – owing entirely to the use of egg. Dried pasta, conversely, usually has more carbohydrates.

Can you eat pasta when trying to lose weight? ›

Dietitians and other health care professionals should consider pasta as a low-glycemic carbohydrate option within the context of a healthy diet or a weight loss/weight maintenance diet.

What is the healthiest pasta for weight loss? ›

In fact, whole wheat or whole grain pasta is the best option for weight loss as whole wheat pasta takes longer to digest than pasta made from refined flour. Slower digestion means blood sugar will rise slowly after consumption, preventing your body from storing excess fat.

What is the golden rule for cooking pasta? ›

To be sure that your pasta is cooked correctly, it is enough to follow a few, simple rules. To begin with, you should keep in mind the right quantities. In Italy, the golden rule for cooking pasta is 1, 10, 100 or 1 liter of water, 10 grams of salt for every 100 grams of pasta.

Is it better to cook pasta in milk or water? ›

But sauce isn't the only option you can turn to -- cooking your pasta in milk can give your dish a uniquely luscious, creamy texture. Mac and cheese is a prime example of a dish you can try this with, as the water-to-milk swap creates a more efficient cooking process with a richer sauce.

How healthy is green pasta? ›

Just as healthy as any other pasta (which is very healthy unless you eat too much of it or won't not enough vegetables). Spinach in pasta is used as a coloring agent, that is all. They have no nutritional effect.

How do you make green pasta sauce thicker? ›

Starch: Use cornstarch or potato starch to thicken the creamy spinach pasta sauce.

Is green pea pasta healthy? ›

Following the artisan tradition of bronze forming and slow drying at low temperature, Seggiano green pea pasta is high in protein and fibre, delivers excellent consistency and great flavour. It's a healthy choice and delicious served with just a good extra virgin oil and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.

What can I put in pasta instead of sauce? ›

Cheese is an excellent way to add flavor to your pasta without having to rely on sauce. Try mixing your angel hair pasta with goat cheese, and toss in sun-dried tomatoes to make an amazing meal with just a few ingredients. Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles.

What is a healthy substitute for spaghetti sauce? ›

Eggplant Sauce

To create a tomato sauce substitute from eggplant, first, saute or roast it, and then remove the skin. Add olive oil and your preferred spices and herbs and then blend into a puree, adding water to reach a sauce consistency.

How can I add more protein to my pasta? ›

And if you want extra plant protein (good news: pasta already contains around 5 to 8 grams of protein per cup!), then look no further than beans, nuts, and seeds, like cashews, pistachios, white beans, and pumpkin seeds. Plus, not only do these ingredients add extra protein, they also improve flavor and texture.

How to cook pasta to reduce carbs? ›

First, you aren't actually taking the carbs out, you are just reducing how much of them your body digests and absorbs. Second, You have to cook these often forbidden favorites in a way that some of the carbohydrates in them convert to resistant starches. To do that, you simply cook and cool them before eating them.

What does more egg do to pasta? ›

The more egg white, the more pliable the dough; the more yolk, the richer the pasta will be. There are endless variations, but for a dough that works every time use: 1 whole egg plus 2 yolks for every 150g of flour.

Does boiling pasta remove nutrients? ›

If you're cooking your pasta and beans for as long as you say, it's possible that you're losing some of their nutritional value. Overcooking destroys bonds between molecules, significantly depleting the nutritients.

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